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Association of Aircraft Pilots Goes After Bristow, Air Peace, Gives Them Two Weeks Ultimatum

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Airline

NAAPE Gives Bristow, Air Peace Two Weeks Ultimatum to Reverse Action

The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has issued a two-week ultimatum to Airlines, which have sacked or planning to sack their Pilots and Engineers, to reverse the action or they would withdraw their service across all Airlines.

Earlier in the week, shortly after NAAPE directed all its members working with Bristow to discontinue their service, the management of Bristow Helicopter immediately announced it would sack about 100 pilots and engineers over a period of few weeks to better manage its weak financial position caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

The announcement was made on the same day, Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest carrier, disclosed that it would also be letting go about 70 pilots due to a similar reason.

Comrade Abednego Galadinma, the President, NAAPE, who spoke on the situation at a press conference held at Airport Hotel in Ikeja Lagos,  said: “We demand that Bristow and Air Peace should immediately recall all sacked Pilots and Aircraft Engineers until all labour issues are resolved or be grounded by NCAA because of attendant safety concerns created by their action.

“As a result of the known consequences of these illegal actions and our commitment to patriotic fervour, we shall be forced to withdraw our guarantee of industrial peace within the industry if this call is not heeded within two weeks.

”Our union will be left with no other option but to withdraw the services of Pilots and Aircraft Maintenance Engineers across all the airlines.’’

Galadinma added that some of the airlines were operating during the lockdown which means the COVID -19 which they are using as an excuse did not affect revenue from essential services like oil and gas.

It would be recalled that Bristow Helicopter had blamed its decision on the disruption of services in the oil and gas sector.

Therefore, Galadinma said “Operators especially Bristow Helicopters have rendered our members redundant despite assurances by government of support for their businesses in return for operators not laying off staff.

“These operators are already running on lean manpower with disproportionate number being expatriates yet, without regards to our expatriates and local content laws and executive order (5) they gave gone ahead to lay off staff under the guise of COVID-19 pandemic.”

“And they cannot be using COVID-19 as an excuse because the cessation of flight operations did not affect essential services like the oil and gas and Bristow and Caverton were operating during the lockdown. In fact, you’d recall that our members were held by the Rivers State Government during the lockdown, so how can they be using COVID-19 as an excuse.

”it is on record that Bristow Helicopters operated throughout the lockdown supporting oil and gas operations with government approval and guarantees service contracts in the same national interest but are now using COVID-19 to force redundancy on our members.

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Business

Nigeria’s Paper Import Bill Hits $3 Billion Annually, Reveals FAE Limited MD

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Funlayo Okeowo, the Managing Director of FAE Limited, a prominent paper manufacturing firm, has disclosed that Nigeria’s annual expenditure on paper imports stands at $3 billion.

Okeowo made this revelation during a recent press conference held in Lagos to commemorate the company’s 50th anniversary.

Addressing reporters, Okeowo explained the crucial role of manufacturing in driving economic growth and underscored the challenges faced by the sector, particularly concerning operational costs.

She highlighted that a significant portion of manufacturers’ profits, up to 80%, is being consumed by diesel expenses, making it increasingly difficult for businesses to remain profitable.

Expressing concern over the financial strain faced by manufacturers, Okeowo called upon the government to take decisive action to alleviate the burdens faced by the industry.

She emphasized the need for policies and interventions aimed at reducing operational costs and fostering a conducive environment for manufacturing growth.

In addition to addressing the pressing issues surrounding manufacturing, Okeowo also unveiled plans for the establishment of ‘World Envelopes Day,’ an initiative aimed at raising awareness about the significance of envelopes in various aspects of human communication and expression.

The initiative, set to be celebrated annually on April 16th, reflects FAE Limited’s commitment to promoting the cultural and practical importance of envelopes in society.

As part of the company’s anniversary celebrations, FAE Limited will host a special roundtable event featuring key stakeholders from diverse sectors to discuss the past, present, and future of the paper manufacturing industry in Nigeria.

This event is expected to provide valuable insights and recommendations for driving

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Business

Economist Intelligence Unit Warns Indigenous Oil Companies of Investment Gap

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Oil

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has issued a cautionary note to indigenous oil companies eyeing the acquisition of assets from divesting international oil companies, warning them of potential investment challenges.

In its latest Country Report on Nigeria, the EIU underscored that local companies may not match the financial prowess of multinational firms, historically significant players in Nigeria’s oil industry.

Citing concerns over Nigeria’s business environment, characterized by corruption, insecurity, and infrastructure deficits, the EIU projected a possible net withdrawal of foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024, following a similar trend observed in the previous year.

The report pointed to multinational corporations scaling back or exiting Nigeria altogether, exacerbating the economic landscape’s challenges.

Foreign oil companies, including Shell, ExxonMobil, Equinor, and TotalEnergies, have announced plans to divest their onshore oil assets, signaling a shift toward offshore operations.

This trend aligns with the broader industry shift and poses significant implications for indigenous players.

While government officials like the Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, view these divestments as opportunities for local capacity development, concerns remain over indigenous firms’ ability to fill the investment void left by departing multinationals.

The EIU emphasized the positive potential for local participation in the sector’s indigenization, but cautioned that indigenous companies might struggle to match outgoing multinationals’ investment capabilities.

This warning underscores the imperative for strategic planning and support mechanisms to ensure indigenous firms can navigate the evolving landscape and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s oil industry sustainability.

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Appointments

Heirs Technology Appoints Obong Idiong as Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

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Obong-Idiong

Heirs Technology, the latest subsidiary of investment powerhouse Heirs Holdings, has announced the appointment of Obong Idiong as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

This move marks a significant step in the company’s mission to spearhead Africa’s digital transformation through innovative and locally tailored solutions.

Idiong, who previously served as the Managing Director/CEO at Africa Prudential Plc, brings a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to his new role.

During his tenure at Africa Prudential Plc, he led the digital transformation of its registrar services, positioning the company as a technology-driven organization.

His track record of success and expertise in the technology sector make him well-suited to lead Heirs Technology into a new era of growth and innovation.

In his statement following the appointment, Idiong expressed pride in bringing Heirs Holdings’ core values and business approach to the tech sector.

He highlighted the company’s commitment to excellence, execution, and enterprise, aiming to bridge the gap in the technology ecosystem by delivering local relevance to a global market and offering cutting-edge solutions to enhance competitiveness.

Also, Dr. Fumbi Chima has been appointed as the Chair of Heirs Technology. With her extensive experience in technology leadership roles across global organizations, including Adidas, Fox Network Group, and Walmart, Chima brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to her new role.

She expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to unlock Africa’s potential through Heirs Technology, confident that the company will make a meaningful impact on the continent’s digital landscape.

Heirs Technology’s strategic appointments underscore its commitment to driving Africa’s digital agenda forward and positioning the continent as a leader in technology innovation and entrepreneurship.

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